Good Mouse Pattern

Good Mouse is the fourth character in my “Good” series of handknit toys. The Good Mouse joins the company of Good Bear, Good Bunny, and Good Frog. The Good Mouse pattern includes instructions for the mouse, a pair of overalls with pockets, a stripey sweater, a buttoned-up jacket, and a folded brim hat. The entire Good Mouse set is charming, worthy of a storybook or two. Pattern Notes Good Mouse is worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom-up starting with the legs. The legs are joined together and the body is worked to the neck. Purl bumps are put in place along the way as a guide to pick up the arms later. The back of the head is then worked back and forth in a heel-flap fashion. The stitches are then picked up along the sides of the flap and combined with stitches from the body, the face and nose are then completed in the round. The eyes are placed along the way. The ears, arms, and tail are picked up and knit on. Due to the construction, the nose naturally tips up a little toward the sky which adds a little charm and wonder to the toy. The custom made-to-fit clothes include the overalls, stripey sweater, jacket and hat. All are worked separately, mainly all in the round other than the jacket which is worked back and forth. Finished Measurement Good Mouse is 8-inches tall from the toe to the top of the head. Needles Mouse: US size 4 / 3.5 mm double-pointed needles Overalls: US size 3 / 3.25mm double-pointed needles for the waistband and US size 5 / 3.75 mm double-pointed needles for the pants and bib. Stripey Pullover: US size 5 / 3.75 mm double-pointed needles Garter Jacket: US size 5 / 3.75 mm 24-inch circular needles and US size 5 / 3.75 mm double-pointed needles for the sleeves Hat: US size 5 / 3.75 mm double-pointed needles The needle sizes are suggestions. Please check your gauge to determine the correct size needles for you. Gauge US size 4 / 3.5 mm needles - 6.5 sts per inch in stockinette stitch US size 5 / 3.75 mm needles - 6 sts per inch in stockinette stitch Note: For the waistband of the overalls use two sizes smaller than the size used for the body of the pants. Yarn Woolens by Barrett Wool Co., 100% American wool (180 yards / 50 grams); 1 skein in each of the following colors. For each of the two samples the yarn colorways and amounts used in grams are listed below. Good Mouse #1 Mouse: Snowbound (creamy white), used about 20 grams. Mouse Nose: About 1 yard of Birdie (blush pink). Overalls: Loam (dark heathered gray and brown), used about 12 grams. Hat: Brim Contrast Color: Old Fashioned (dark heathered bronze), used about 3 grams. Body of Hat Main Color: Garland (deep forest green), used about 2 grams. Pom: Apple (bright heathered red), used about 1 gram. Total weight about 6 grams. Stripey Sweater: Color 1 - Apple (bright heathered red), used about 6 grams; Color 2 - Old Fashioned (dark heathered bronze) used about 4 grams. Total weight about 10 grams. Garter Stitch Jacket: Main Color: Garland (deep forest green) used about 10 grams. Contrast Color Trim: Old Fashioned (dark heathered bronze) used about 5 grams. Total weight about 15 grams. Good Mouse #2 Mouse: Thimble (light heathered gray), used about 20 grams. Mouse Nose: About 1 yard of Birdie (blush pink). Overalls: Earthen (brown), used about 12 grams. Hat: Brim Contrast Color: Beck (medium blue), used about 3 grams. Body of Hat Main Color: Garner (heathered mustard gold), used about 2 grams. Pom: Door County (perfect red), used about 1 gram. Total weight about 6 grams. Stripey Sweater: Color 1 - Door County (perfect red), used about 6 grams; Color 2 - Beck (medium blue) used about 4 grams. Total weight about 10 grams. Garter Stitch Jacket: Main Color: Garner (heathered mustard gold) used about 10 grams. Contrast Color Trim: Beck (medium blue) used about 5 grams. Total weight about 15 grams. Materials Extra set of double-pointed needles in US size 4 / 3.5mm. This is optional as you can use the US 5 / 3.75 or the US 3 / 3.25mm needles if you don’t have an extra set of US 4 / 3.5mm needles. Locking stitch markers Fiber fill One set of 5mm safety eyes - Warning: Safety eyes are considered a choking hazard for babies and young children. Use embroidered French knots if concerned. Black embroidery floss or crochet cotton #3 for face embroidery Yarn needle Waste yarn Three 1/2-inch buttons Needle and thread for attaching buttons